The UK government and West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) have revised the timeline for the £2.5 billion (US$3.37 billion) West Yorkshire Mass Transit project, pushing full completion and the start of services to the late 2030s from a previous mid-2030s target.

The project seeks to introduce a modern mass transit network—potentially tram or ultra-light rail—to address congestion, boost connectivity, and drive economic growth in a region of 2.3 million people with a £70bn economy. Initial phases focus on two lines: one through central Leeds (Europe's largest city without mass transit) and another linking Leeds to Bradford. A non-statutory consultation on routes occurred last year, with WYCA planning to submit a Strategic Outline Case in 2026. 

The delay results from resequencing the program to prioritize the business case before advancing detailed planning, avoiding parallel processes deemed higher-risk. Preparatory works are still set to begin by 2028 (without track-laying), supported by £200M in allocated funding from a £2.1bn city regions pot for 2027–2032.